When Robinson unwrapped the coin and showed it to Carr, they immediately recognized it and were amazed. Both men are Canadian.

''I saw the bust of the queen, and then I turned it over and saw the maple leaf, and there was no mistake where it was from," said Robinson, who is here visiting from Stoney Creek, Ontario. "I don't usually see them this far south."

Carr said he took the coin to a local dealer who estimated the value at $930.

''That's a pretty significant donation, and it will help a lot of people," Carr said.

The coin was left at a red kettle station at the intersection of FM 1960 and Texas 249 in northwest Houston outside of a Sam's Club store on Wednesday.

The Salvation Army is trying to raise $2.5 million this year to support its many year-round programs and services, including disaster relief, housing, rehabilitation and financial assistance. The money is aimed at helping the needy in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties.

Extra donations are needed this year to help replenish the nonprofit organization's resources after Hurricane Ike. The organization helped 5 million people this year as a result of the Sept. 13 storm, compared to 100,000 people last year, said spokesman Juan Alanis.

Red kettle donations are down 16 percent, while mail campaign donations are down 20 percent from the same time last year, Alanis said.

The Salvation Army receives some type of gold coin every year, but it's usually donated early in the campaign, which runs between Thanksgiving and Christmas, he said.

''We've been putting the message out that donations are low," Alanis said. "People are responding. This person took it upon himself to make a difference."